Dear Rachel,
With all the layoffs and downsizing taking place, maybe you could explain how to approach a headhunter. I've heard that headhunters won't take on an unknown client without a referral.-- Hunting for a Headhunter

Dear Hunting,
Headhunters, the good ones, are in the business of finding and placing candidates in jobs, and they're going to take the candidates they think they can place and not those they know they can't place. It's as simple as that.

For you, the candidate, the challenge is to find that headhunter who can and will place you.

You want someone who specializes in media, your area, and someone who works in, has contacts in, and understands your market. If your market is Chicago, you're probably not going to find your headhunter in Seattle.

“Working with headhunters is really pretty simple, but make sure you go with someone who knows the piece of the ad biz that you are in,” advises one New York recruiter. “There are specialists in account management, media, creative, strategic planning, market research, etc., so approach those who know what you actually do and who might actually need your skill. "

The best way to find a recruiter who specializes in your area is to talk to friends and ask for a personal recommendation. They may know of one or more recruiters.

Also comb through the help wanted ads and job boards. But be sure to check several sources, because some firms will only advertise in one or two, and they may not advertise all the time. Recruiters’ web sites can be a wealth of information too.

Don't talk to just one recruiter, either. Shop for a recruiter just as you would shop for a job or a new house or a car. Talk to as many as you can. Keep in mind that the right recruiter can place you in a dream job you would never even hear about on your own.  And that right recruiter may place you in your next job as well.

The wrong recruiter will simply waste your time.

You want someone who speaks your language and understands your experience. You also want someone who understands your career goals and ambitions.

But then again, keep in mind that a recruiter is not your friend, psychoanalyst, spiritual sherpa, life coach or career counselor. Don't expect that recruiter to help you decide what you want to be when you grow up.

And if you find someone who purports to be any of those other things, you're likely dealing with someone who's not very good at recruiting or is a fraud.

Recruiters search for candidates to place in jobs. That's it.

Don't be shy when you find a recruiter you think might be right for you. Shoot off an email or call. You don't need a referral.

“I am always happy to speak with anyone in media and am always truthful,” says a Chicago recruiter. “I will tell them if we think we have openings that would be a good fit."

And if you are daunted by these harsh economic times, don't be.

Hiring slows down in tough times, but it doesn't stop. Agencies are always looking to fill one job or another, and that goes on during the worst of times.

No less important, when things pick up, you want your resume already on file with that right recruiter. You stand to get placed as soon as the phones begin ringing.